Destination Perth

Wander around the city’s attractions like the Perth Mint and Swan Bell Tower, browse the city’s shopping malls and the trendy King Street strip or enjoy a cruise on the river stopping by Perth Zoo along the way. If swimming, surfing, snorkelling or just lounging at a beachside café is more your style the white sands of the famed Sunset Coast are just 20 minutes west of the city. Golfers will be spellbound by the variety of lush courses surprisingly close to the city centre, and encounters with kangaroos and emus make for a memorable 18 holes. Catch a train, join a cruise or drive to the nearby colourful working port of Fremantle. Enjoy the carnival atmosphere of street performers outside the markets, delight in the buzz of activity along the “Cappuccino Strip” or enjoy the fresh seafood at Fishing Boat Harbour.

Less than 50 minutes south of Perth, the protected waterways, beaches and excellent boating and fishing activities of Mandurah are a day-tripper’s delight. The beautiful facilities of the Mandurah Ocean Marina and the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, where the annual ‘Stretch’ festival is held, attract tourists and locals alike.

For an island experience, board a ferry to Rottnest, just 25 minutes off the coast. Enjoy the laid-back beachside holiday atmosphere, quiet coves and crystal clear waters. Or discover the Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine growing region just 30 minutes east of the city. An endless choice of wineries, micro-breweries, stylish restaurants, quaint cafés and art and craft galleries await to satisfy your palate and your palette.

Getting Here

No matter where you are in the world, Perth and Western Australia are closer than you think.

Eighteen international airlines operate scheduled services to and from Perth, bringing the world to Western Australia. Accessibility, especially to our near-neighbours in South East Asia, has been accentuated by new and more frequent air services linking the city to national and international destinations.

Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Garuda Indonesia and Royal Brunei Airlines offer good frequencies on the latest jet aircraft. The flying time from Singapore is less than five hours, and Jakarta is just four hours away. From India, swift and convenient access is available through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok.

Perth is also Europe’s gateway to Australia, with one stop connections through Asia and the Middle East providing stress free long-haul travel.

The Middle East has good access through double daily Emirates services to Perth from Dubai, South African Airways provides a daily service to Perth, and New Zealand is connected via direct services from Auckland to Perth. Flying time from Auckland is 7hrs 10mins.

Across Australia, Qantas and Virgin continue to offer an extensive route network between the major and secondary cities, complemented by low cost carriers Jetstar and Tiger Airlines.

Perth Airport is a modern facility approximately half an hour away from the centre of Perth. The international and domestic terminals are easily accessible by car, taxi and bus. Further information regarding both international and domestic airlines that fly into Perth can be found at www.perthairport.com.au.

So sit back and relax. Perth is nearer than you think.

Getting Around Perth

Getting around Perth is a breeze with meetings infrastructure and hotels located in close proximity to Perth’s retail, cultural and entertainment precincts.

Taxis are usually plentiful in Perth with dedicated ranks available at major shopping hubs, and at nightspots during the busiest times. A cab fare from the domestic airport terminal to Perth CBD is around $32, and from the international terminal $40.

Our cab and bus drivers are a friendly bunch, too, and like the chance to welcome visitors to the city. Buses In the city, a Free Transit Zone (FTZ) allows free travel on all buses and trains at all times. In addition to Perth’s regular commuter buses which are free in the FTZ, Transperth’s CAT buses offer a fast, free and convenient means of travelling to points of interest in and around the Perth CBD. These free services link the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre with most major Perth city hotels.

Ferries

Transperth’s ferry leaves from the Elizabeth Quay Jetty, as do many other river cruises. Ferries travel to and from Fremantle, Rottnest and South Perth. Elizabeth Quay is also the departure point for most Swan Valley wine and river cruises.

Transperth operates a ferry service between the Elizabeth Quay Jetty and Mends Street in South Perth, convenient for visiting Perth Zoo and the many excellent restaurants and cafés on offer in South Perth.

Catching the ferry to Fremantle is a great way to kick back and enjoy the sights as you cruise past Perth’s luxury riverside homes. Ferry charters are also available for private functions.

Trains

Perth central train station is located in the heart of the city on Wellington Street and connects Forrest Chase, a major shopping hub just a short distance from most leading hotels and venues, the Perth cultural precinct, and the Northbridge entertainment area. Modern trains link Perth’s suburbs, including hubs at Midland, Joondalup, Fremantle, Armadale and Mandurah.

For adventure lovers who wish to explore further afield, the Prospector train links Perth and the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie with a daily service (twice a day on Monday and Friday). The 655km journey takes 6hrs 45mins.

Currency

The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar. All prices quoted in this brochure are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST. To check the current exchange rate visit www.xe.com. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere and Traveller’s Cheques are also widely accepted. International airports and major hotels provide money-changing facilities.

Visas

On 23 March 2013, the department implemented changes to the types of visas available to persons wishing to travel to Australia to attend, participate at, or compete in events being held in Australia.

Under Australia’s universal visa system, all visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia (other than New Zealand passport holders who will normally be granted a Special Category visa on arrival, provided they meet health and character requirements; and permanent residents of Norfolk Island who may be granted a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa on arrival). For more information, see the fact sheet:

There are many visa options available to people wishing to visit Australia. The appropriate visa option will depend, amongst other things, on the person’s purpose for visiting Australia. You may wish to use the Visa Finder to help determine which visa you require.

Click here for the new visa fact sheet, effective from 1 July 2013. This fact sheet includes information about the visa options available for those who are travelling to Australia as business visitors, including the new arrangements in place for online applications for the Visitor (Subclass 600) visa and the Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) visa (subclass 400). For the purposes of attending this event, you may wish to consider applying for one of these visas, based on your role at the event.

Please note that only certain passport holders are eligible to apply for these visas online.

If your sole reason for coming to Australia is to attend this conference, please apply for the

We recommend that applicants applying for a paper-based visa lodge their application at least 6-8 weeks before their intended travel date to Australia. All travellers to Australia must have a valid visa before boarding their plane. Travelers to Australia cannot apply for a visa on arrival.

Customs

Delegates carrying commercial goods or samples may need to obtain permits for their goods depending on the nature of the goods, regardless of value. Quarantine and wildlife regulations and other restrictions may also apply to certain goods. All travelers must declare amounts of $10,000 or more in foreign or Australian currency (notes and coins) you take into or out of Australia. For more information visit www.customs.gov.au.

Time

Perth is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Electricity

Australian electricity supply is 240V, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug.